100 ESSAY ON FOREST TREES 



seedling oak, Avhotlier in the fickl or in the nursery, is taken away 

 to facilitate a better shaped and more vigorous growth. I have wit- 

 nessed this process in multiplied instances, not only in the oak but in 

 many other forest trees. Very few exceptions, it is apprehended, 

 can be found among the young seedlings which spring in the shade, 

 produced from whatever cause, and not many even in highly culti- 

 vated nurseries, even where the young plant stands fully exposed to 

 the biightness of day. I have raised a great many forest trees of 

 different kinds. I have in my nurseries but few which I supposed 

 would not be improved by removing the top after having attained 

 the age of three or four years. I have sometimes judged it neces- 

 sary to subject them to a second, and in some instances to a third 

 process. And I cannot believe from present appearances, that those 

 who in the future will be benefitted by them, will find in consequence 

 of thiS that they have lost in the compactness of the wood, strength 

 or durability. I ^ wish a fair experiment could be made. In this 

 way the question can only be fully settled. I know well that it must 

 require many years for a plantation put out for this purpose to ma- 

 -ture. More years indeed than any of the present generation 

 may hve to enjoy, or to labor, but there will come other and many 

 generations, who would be great gainers from such an establishment, 

 who without our forethought, would be left nearly, or quite as uncer- 

 tain as Ave are, and who coukl no more see the results of their own 

 efforts, than we of the present, can of ours. As things are, the 

 fathers must labor, and their children, or children's children must 

 reap the benefits of their labor. 



How long it takes an oak to reach its ordinary growth, I do not 

 know that there are enough well attested facts, certainly I have them 

 not in my possession, to justify me to speak with definiteness. The 

 subject is an important and interesting one, and there is scarcely reason 

 to doubt that should one devote a little time, he might obtain much 

 useful information. There must be man^ trees of no inconsiderable 

 age and size in the county, whose springing *up must be known and 

 remembered by the aged of the present generation, or handed down 

 from the generations before their days. The society in my appre 

 hension, could hardly do a better service, than by some pecuniary 

 consideration to encourage justifiable enquiry. It would be of great 

 advantage in their present interesting operations. One fact I will 

 venture to state, proving a personal knowledge' of the trees, and of 



